Written For:

Gringotts Prompt Vault-

Various Prompts: Dr Horrible's Singalongs (word: murder)

Sirius doesn't know what brings him to Godric's Hollow. He just knows that something feels wrong, and when he sees the familiar house has reappeared, his suspicions are confirmed.

"No," he rasps, shaking his head. "No."

Remus couldn't have betrayed them. Not his beloved Remus. Anyone but him.

Sirius breaks into a sprint, rushing through the door that's already been forced open. "No," he repeats, shaking his head.

This has to be a nightmare. It isn't possible.

"Prongs," he whispers, kneeling beside James' body, his heart stopping for a moment.

No pulse. His best mate, his partner in crime all those years, is gone.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius continues through the house and into Harry's nursery. His stomach turns acidic when he finds Lily sprawled across the floor in front of the cot. Baby Harry cries, frantic.

He doesn't bother to check her pulse. He already knows that she has passed on.

Anger boils his blood. Remus had been their Secret Keeper. Only Remus could have made this happen.

"Everything will be okay, Harry," Sirius soothes, picking the child up and bouncing him gently. "Uncle Sirius will make sure of that."

He wants to hold him forever, to just run off with him and never look back. But he knows it isn't that simple.

"Dumbledore will send someone for you soon," he whispers, kissing Harry's forehead. "Now, Uncle Sirius has to go murder Uncle Remus."

…

Sirius wants to scream when he finds Remus in the kitchen, sitting at the table with a cup of tea like nothing has happened. He lashes out, angrily slapping the cup from his lover's hand, the porcelain shattering on the floor.

"Lily and James were murdered because of you, and you have the nerve to sit here and drink tea?" Sirius demands, reaching for his wand.

Remus is quicker on the draw. Before Sirius can even reach his pocket, Remus' wand is pointed at him. "Do think before you act, Sirius," he says, his voice too calm for Sirius' liking. "Remember, I mastered nonverbal spells, and you didn't. I'm a hell of a lot more dangerous than you are."

"Why? Why would you do it?" Sirius asks, his arms resting stiffly at his sides.

"Your cousin came to me. Lovely girl, if a bit insane," Remus answers.

Sirius growls. Bellatrix. Of course it would be Bellatrix.

"She gave me hope. Sure, you lot don't mind my furry little problem. But do you think everyone in the Order would feel the same? How long before they decided I was too much of a threat? But Bellatrix assured me the Dark Lord would welcome my ferocity."

"You're about as ferocious as a baby squirrel," Sirius barks.

He's rewarded by a sudden pressure in his chest.

"And you see, Bellatrix offered me something you never could," Remus continues. "She brought me Greyback."

Sirius shakes his head. "Was it worth it? Losing them? Losing me?" he demands.

Remus smirks. "I don't have to lose you, darling. You're a Black. Your family would be so proud if you joined us," he says, stepping closer and cupping Sirius' face with his free hand. "Dumbledore is a fool. He won't last long. Do you really think the Order will continue much longer after he's gone?"

"Turn yourself in," Sirius pleads. "Dumbledore will speak on your behalf. They'll be lenient."

"Lenient?" Remus laughs. "Do you think Crouch will really show me mercy? You could argue that I was confused, mislead. But it won't matter to him. His heart is cold."

"So is yours."

"So you won't join me?"

"I'd rather die than betray the ones I love," Sirius says stubbornly.

Remus sighs, pressing his body closer to Sirius'. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to be this way," he says, his wand jabbing painfully into Sirius' chest. "But if you'd rather die, so be it. You can't be trusted alive now."

He presses his lips to Sirius', and for one brief moment, Sirius thinks that maybe everything will be okay.

"Avada Kedavra," Remus whispers into the kiss.

…

"I know this must be such a difficult time for you, Remus," Albus says gently, offering the younger man a cup of tea. "You've lost three people you loved."

Remus dabs his handkerchief at his eyes before accepting the cup. "I just can't believe it. Sirius, of all people," he sniffles. "How could he betray Lily and James like that?"

"It is quite a shock," Albus agrees. "He had always seemed so unlike his cousin."

"I had to kill him. They'll understand, won't they, Albus? He would have killed me. You didn't see him. He was like a rabid dog! I would never-"

He trails off, sobbing into his handkerchief. "I had no choice," he says again.

"Just this once, Remus, the Ministry need not know of your involvement."

Face still buried in his handkerchief, Remus smiles.